1998-1999 - The University of Scranton

PRE-MEDICAL PROGRAM
The success of the University’s Pre-Medical Program has been outstanding. Since 1980, the
University has placed an average of over 50 students per year into American schools of medicine,
dentistry, optometry, podiatry and veterinary medicine, often in the most prestigious
schools in the country.
The University of Scranton offers its pre-medical students unique opportunities in anticipation
of changes in health care delivery for the twenty-first century. This includes a special exposure
to primary care medicine (the practice of family physicians, general internists, and general
pediatricians), predicted to be the area of greatest growth in medicine. Students have an opportunity
to participate in an undergraduate primary care internship through the Scranton-Temple
Residency Program. In this program, students accompany physicians at Scranton Mercy and
Moses Taylor Hospitals to gain exposure to clinical settings in primary care medicine. Students
gain transcript recognition for participation in this internship as well as a clear view of the profession
they seek to enter.
Moreover, the University of Scranton is one of only six undergraduate institutions participating
in the Jefferson Medical College Physician Shortage Area Program (PSAP). This program
is designed to recruit and educate medical students who intend to enter Family Medicine
and practice in physician shortage areas in Pennsylvania. Finally, University of Scranton students
are encouraged to participate in programs at the Center for Primary Care at the Penn State
College of Medicine, Hershey.
The Pre-Medical Program is supported by a network of hundreds of medical alumni and by
an active Medical Alumni Council. The Medical Alumni Council has compiled a directory of
physicians who have agreed to serve as resources for information or internship opportunities for
University of Scranton students. It also sponsors on-campus programs to which undergraduate
students are invited.
Pre-Medical Undergraduate Curricula — Many undergraduate students who intend to apply
to health professions schools choose Biology or Biochemistry as their major. However, students
may choose any major, provided that they meet the requirements for entrance to medical, dental,
or other health professions school.
For students at the University of Scranton, the minimum requirements are:
Biology 141 and 142 Chemistry 232 and 233
Chemistry 112 and 113 Physics 120 and 121
Many medical schools recommend that students demonstrate a wide range of interests both
in their choice of courses and of extra-curricular activities. Volunteer work is strongly recommended
by the Admissions Committees of most Health Professions schools, as is course work
in Ethics, particularly in Phil 212, Medical Ethics and/or T/RS 330, Biomedical Ethics.
Some medical and dental schools also have specific prerequisites for English, mathematics,
or other courses, as listed in Medical School Admission Requirements, or Admission
Requirements of U.S. and Canadian Dental Schools. Copies of these publications are available
in the office of Dr. Mary Engel, Director of Medical School Placement.
The Association of American Medical Colleges recommends that undergraduate students
planning to apply to medical school acquire a strong background in the natural sciences, so students
should consider courses in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics beyond the minimum
requirements. Students should develop strong oral and written communication skills, and
they should complete rigorous courses in the humanities and social sciences. Honors courses
and programs, independent study, and/or undergraduate research are also encouraged.
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